Azur Lane: How A Lady Met Her Gentleman (Hood X Dreadnought)

Chapter 1: First meeting

As morning beams into the window of the dorm, she awakes from her sleep. After showering and getting dressed, she meets up with the rest of her sisters of Royal Navy

Illustrious: Good morning, Hood.

Hood: Good morning to you too, Illustrious.

It's been so long since they drove thr sirens out of their world, yet Royal Navy continues constructing new battleships and aircraft carriers

Hood: So, has the commander told you the status of your ships completion?
Illustrious: Commander said that my aircraft carrier would be battle-ready around 1940...

As the ship girls converse, Hood couldn't help but stare at an empty seat. After all, she needs to know... who sits there?

Hood: Girls... something has been... bothering me lately... who sits there?
Warspite: Oh, you must mean Dreadnought.
Hood: Dreadnought...? How come she doesn't come down to eat with us?
Warspite: *Spits her drink out and attempts to hold her laughter back* W-Well, she... doesn't like to socialize. Well, she used to... before that day...
Hood: Before what day? Since she is one of us, I have to learn more.
Warspite: W-W-Well... she mostly spends her time alone from here. You can find her at the docks. She should be there.

Hood thanks her as she goes to the docks to find "her," and she did. However, what she didn't expect was...

Hood: Greetings, you must be Dreadnought. I'm Hood.

Dreadnought: Oh, I believe we haven't introduced ourselves.
Hood: !!!

Hood's face turns red as she takes in his features

Hood: Y-You're a man?!
Dreadnought: ... Yes...?
Hood: Oh, goodness gracious... I apologize! Well, it's good t-to meet you, D-Dreadnought!

She hurries back as she tries to collect her thoughts

Warspite: Well?
Hood: You didn't mention that Dreadnought is a man!
Warspite: You didn't ask if he was a man or a lady. That... is a little mishap.

Hood becomes embarrassed as she can't believe that she met a man other than the Commander

Hood: Has... he been here for some time?
Warspite: Yes, he participated in the battle of Jutland.
Hood: But... how come I never ran into him before?
Warspite: ... That... That is complicated. He... he's not as cheerful as he used to be.
Hood: ... May I... inquire more about him?

Warspite takes notice of this and smirks

Warspite: Aw, is Hood in love?~
Hood: W-What?! Of course, not! Besides, I respect the fact that he fought in Jutland and survived unscathed!
Warspite: Whatever you say, Hood!

Hood watches as Warspite enters a nearby room as she collects her thoughts. Does she respect Dreadnought... or is it what humans call... "Love at first sight?"

Hood: I don't love him... Do I...?

Dreadnought: Hood! It's a surprise seeing you here.
Hood: D-Dreadnought! Why are you here?
Dreadnought: My room is over there?
Hood: O-Oh! Our dorms are next to each other!

They both walk together to their dorms

Hood: ... Warspite told me that you used to smile back then... why do you not smile anymore?
Dreadnought: ... Why do you care?
Hood: It is my duty to all learn and maybe help others in our camp to overcome their problems.
Dreadnought: I see, then I suppose it wouldn't hurt...

They stop for a bit as they talk

Dreadnought: There was... this woman from Iris Orthodoxy... she's a dreadnought, like me... except... she didn't reciprocate my feelings... so she rejected me when I confessed.
Hood: May I ask her name?
Dreadnought: I can handle it. I've gotten over it.
Hood: That's good. Then why do you still look gloomy?

Dreadnought: ... I... when she rejected me... I thought she didn't have any interest in me... But in reality, I confessed too late... She loved me, but slowly, her heart beated for another...
Hood: That's sad... but don't worry! I can help you move past it!
Dreadnought: Really...?!
Hood: *Nods eagerly* Besides, I want to learn more about you while you also learn more about me. So, let's hang out tomorrow. Just us two.
Dreadnought: ... Okay, 10 AM tomorrow?
Hood: Don't be late.

Aa Dreadnought enters the room, Hood begins to panic mentally. Did she just ask Dreadnought on a date?!

Hood: Calm down, Hood. Calm down... it's just hanging out with you and a guy... Oh, God... do I really love him...?